Putting the T in METT-T (i.e., Terrain)

[Tukhachevskii]

Captain T. B. Franklin, Tactics and the Landscape

Having once led a small party of friends terribly astray during a class orienteering trip I have always been haunted by my inability to “read” terrain. While teaching myself that particular art I came across the above book, written in 1914 for the British Army, and have now been able to increase my skills (I am now barely incompetent having previously been fully incompetent) thanks to its practical and visual pedagogic style. However, I am interested in knowing if the vastly more experienced members of the SWC would have completed the below tasks differently from either the friendly or enemy PoV. Personally I am alarmed that no “flankers” were sent into the woods on the bottom left (and to the immediate south of Mayne Top) of the attached image. Although it would have been very difficult for the enemy unit to withdraw, being also out of mutual support with the unit ensconced on Three Hill Ridge (north of Ralston Ridge) and the farmyard south of it the friendly forces commander wasn’t to know that (was he?). IMO that was a prime location for an ambush which would have prevented friendly forces from coming to the aid of their comrades further North.

Friendly forces task:

The Battalion to which you belong and a Battery, R.F.A., have made a forced march to Dunmayne to prevent it falling into the enemy's hands. You arrived there on the evening of June 1, and went into billets. At 1 p.m., June 2, your Battalion Commander orders the Battalion to be paraded at once, and calls for Company Officers. He tells them that the enemy is in some force at Wells, and that some detached companies of your own troops are in danger of being cut off. He finishes by saying, " I intend to march at once on Wells. ' A ' Company—your company—will form the advanced guard. The main body will pass Dunmayne Cross Roads at 1.45 p.m. I am sending a few cyclists forward to get into touch with our men retreating from Wells. I shall be at the head of the main body." Give the dispositions of your advanced guard moving up Dunmayne Hill. (See Plate I. [attached below])(p.3)

Enemy forces task:

Your battalion has arrived behind North Ridge. Your advanced troops have already been driven off Three Hill Ridge with some loss, and are now holding Middle Ridge. The brigadier decides to attack Three Hill Ridge. Your company is one of the companies of the battalion which are to form the firing line, and is drawn up behind Triangle Wood. You have been given Hill " C " as your objective, and your company will be left company in the attack. What use do you make of your scouts in the coming advance?(p. 39)